Reds back from the dead as Moyes targets Euro title after Van Persie hat-trick

DAVID MOYES believes that Manchester United can emerge as dark horses to win the Champions League, but first urged his players to ensure last night’s comeback against Olympiakos does not turn into another false dawn.

But Moyes, reminded of the against-the-odds triumphs of Liverpool in 2005 and Chelsea two seasons ago in this same competition, grasped this opportunity to talk up his team’s prospects as the pressure that has been mounting on his fledgling reign was lifted.

David Moyes believes Manchester United can win the Champions League [STUART ROBINSON/EXPRESSS]

With the help of the crowd we have got over the finishing line

Ryan Giggs

“I believe this football club is capable of it,” said Moyes. “We will probably now go into the draw as underdogs in a lot of the games. Hopefully we can do it. I don’t see any reason why not.

“If we play to our capabilities, which we have not done too often, then we will be a match for any team.”

Moyes – who played down injury concerns over Van Persie after he was taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury in the closing stages while Antonio Valencia was left sporting a swollen eye – hailed United’s collective response after the wretched 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford last Sunday.

He insisted the win must now act as a platform to improve a poor domestic campaign with next Tuesday’s Manchester derby with neighbours City looming.

“The question of whether this can be a turning point has been asked of me every time we have a good victory and we’ve never backed it up,” he said.

Antonio Valencia suffered a bad eye injury early on in the game [ACTION]

“I’d love to say ‘yes’ and that’s the answer but we know we’ve got a lot of work to do here. But in the same breath, I really hope it is. We know it is a work in progress and it is going to take time to get things the way we want it.

“People will probably think it’s a turning point in the careers of players and staff. I don’t see it that way because I know what the club have got and the club know what they’ve got.

“I see myself here for a long time but I’ve got a big job and I’m not going to be able to do it all immediately.”

Moyes was rewarded for restoring Ryan Giggs to his line-up with the veteran’s brilliant pass picking out Van Persie, who was then clattered by Olympiakos defender Jose Holebas in the penalty area.

Van Persie dispatched the 25th-minute spot-kick to start the fightback, grabbed a second from Wayne Rooney’s pinpoint cross on the stroke of half-time and then completed his first hat-trick in the Champions League with a free-kick six minutes into the second half.